`The Rock’ Gives $1M to Miami Football

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s biggest contribution as a Miami football player might have come in a game against Florida State, when he sacked Seminoles’ star Charlie Ward to spark the Hurricanes. “Turned the game around for us,” said Miami coach Randy Shannon, who remembers that play vividly.

More than a decade later, Johnson is still helping his alma mater.

The 35-year-old wrestler-turned-actor and his wife, Dany Garcia Johnson, announced a $1 million gift Tuesday to Miami’s football facilities renovation fund the largest gift former Hurricane student athletes have ever made to the university’s athletic department.

The Hurricanes’ football locker room will be renamed in Dwayne Johnson’s honor.

“Dany and I have always said that being a student athlete here at the University of Miami has always been a tremendous part of our lives,” Johnson said. “The skill sets that we learned here as student athletes, talking about commitment, talking about sacrifice … those skill sets are invaluable.”

The Johnsons, who announced their separation in June after 10 years of marriage, met as Miami students. The couple say they remain close.

Dany Garcia Johnson was a rower for the Hurricanes, and is now an alumni trustee.

She graduated in 1992; he graduated in 1995. They made a $2 million gift last year to help fund the construction of an on-campus alumni center.

“They are committed to the university, to the success of the entire university, but today to the success of our football program,” Miami President Donna Shalala said. “And we couldn’t be more pleased.”

Johnson plays a quarterback in his latest film, “The Game Plan,” which debuted last weekend. His film credits also include “Walking Tall,” “The Mummy Returns” and “The Scorpion King” Another movie, based on the TV show “Get Smart,” is set for release next June.

“I have said it time and time again, that this program was a launching pad for my success,” he said.

Source: www.cinema-pedia.com